Warning: Still using AirDrop for regular file transfers? Please give yourself a second thought as it might not be a good idea.
Whether we consider the professional viewpoint or talk about personal usage, data transfer is one of the essential and applied modern-day networking activities. Being at the age of digital media, having to transfer files from one device to the other is like a daily activity for almost every individual. It might be a photo of yours for the next Instagram story or an essential file in your colleague’s computer that is essential for the upcoming project, the exchange of digital data is vital.
Most of the iOS users worldwide tend to use the official AirDrop utility feature to carry out the file transfer activities. If you are one of them, then this article will give you perfect reasons for switching your data transfer medium right away. But before jumping right into the disadvantages that come pre-loaded, let’s have a brief overview of how iOS data transfer works over AirDrop.
AirDrop For iOS File Transfer
In order to aid its user with the data transfer activity, Apple came up with the AirDrop feature with Apple Wireless Direct Link (AWDL) networking protocol. It is a simple to use feature that allows iOS users to have their files transferred wirelessly among themselves.
The file transfer procedure in AirDrop is relatively straightforward. All you need to do, is hoover over to the Control Center and have the AirDrop service up and running for everyone in the receiver’s iOS device. Once done, select the sender device’s desired files and tap the AirDrop transfer option from the share menu. It will then take some time before completing the transfer process. However, it is essential to note that, as you go for the transfer, make sure the sender device has either its Bluetooth or the Wi-Fi is turned on.
Why Using AirDrop is Really a Bad Idea?
Don’t let the simple to use and straightforward feature of AirDrop deceive you in using it for transferring data over iOS devices. If you are still using it, trust me it isn’t the best option out there. Although AirDrop as a file-sharing utility that is apt in helping Apple users transfer their files wirelessly, it just fails to deliver its purpose at a certain point in time. Besides shutting down at times and going in the “unable to work” mode suddenly for no reason, there are some other disadvantages that are quite sure to compel you explore an alternative solution. The major issues however, can be categorized into two major types
Compatibility Issues
One of the significant drawbacks of AirDrop is its compatibility across varied platforms. The exchange of files between two foreign operating systems is out of the question; AirDrop doesn’t support file transfer between two different platforms even from the same parent manufacturer. It only allows you to exchange your files or data either between two IOS devices or two Mac devices that means if you want to have your files in the iPhone transferred to your Mac Book, AirDrop is not going to help you in any means. All you need to do then is search for an application that is eligible for doing that.

Security Issues
Besides lacking multiple platform support, AirDrop leaves a significant gap in filling up its users’ security measures correctly. According to a thorough research by the Technical University of Darmstadt, the AWDL networking protocol that aids the AirDrop technology is vulnerable to various cyberattacks. The research team from Google Project Zero also found similar results as they categorize AWDL protocol under the vulnerable towards cyberattack tag as well. According to them, the protocol can enable attackers to take remote control on an iPhone completely.
There have been reports in the identify thefts for various AirDrop users as well. According to some studies, the feature that enables the file sharing via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi password sharing feature requires transmission of a partial hash (few digits) of a users’ phone number and Apple ID for going ahead with the wireless connection. The details are thus open to attack by various cybercriminals.
If you have been a regular user like me, the disadvantages of AirDrop are sure not to come to you by surprise. A search for an alternative is thus desirable.
Best and Recommended Alternative to AirDrop: AnyTrans

Taking the compatibility and security issues of AirDrop under consideration, having an alternative utility application for carrying out the data transfer is essential. Having to transfer data from one device to the other is a vital daily exercise. Moreover, the digital data in today’s age is also confidential over varied sectors. It is thus essential to have an application that makes the file transfer process over different platforms a relatively smooth and secure one.
Although there are several applications which can genuinely help make the overall file transfer procedure a smooth one but searching for the one that fits in perfectly can be a bit tricky. So, to ease things up, I am here with one of the best data transfer utility tools available that is recommended for you to use as an alternative to AirDrop.
I myself have been into the quest for quite some time before coming across the AnyTrans application from iMobile Inc. Considering all the available features, I can put AnyTrans as undoubtedly one of the best alternatives to AirDrop. It helps make the file transfer process secure and straightforward and goes a long way in helping a user manage their data to the level of supreme convenience. Before I get into a detailed guide on how you can use AnyTrans for transferring data, let’s have a quick run through its features that made my data transfer and management process a seamless one.
- It is simple to use with high end SSL security for ensuring secured data.
- Helps in transferring data over varied devices and even cross platforms.
- It supports multiple media formats.
- Supports multiple languages.
- Helps in creating and managing backups.
- It helps transfer the media from iTunes library from one device to the other.
Transfer Files Without AirDrop: Detailed Step by Step Guide on AnyTrans
AnyTrans is an excellent utility tool that lets its users transfer data across varied platforms. Irrespective of which medium you are looking to transfer files to, the excellent compatibility of AnyTrans will allow you carry out the transfer with ease. Among other users, I myself use this application to play my files around different devices. Having said that, the procedure involved in each case differs from the other to a certain level. However, the only step that remains constant throughout is having access to the application and getting it installed on the desired devices.
Transfer Files Between iOS Without AirDrop: Using AnyTrans.
Step 1: As you open the AnyTrans application, it, by default, starts searching for IOS devices nearby. If it fails to recognize, click on the “Connect Your iPhone” option to get started.

Step 2: After your device gets recognized, it’s time to select the files that you want to get transferred; for that, click on the blue arrow indicator and choose from the categories of files.

Step 3: Once the selection is made, click on the blue arrow again to proceed with the files’ transfer. The transfer time will vary according to the overall data size in the queue for the transfer.

iTunes Media Transfer Without AirDrop: Using AnyTrans
Step 1: Have the AnyTrans application launched on to your PC.
Step 2: Use a USB cable to connect the iOS device to the computer.
Step 3: Hoover over to the “Connect to iTunes” option.

Step 4: From the category of files, select the ones you want to transfer.
Step 5: Hit the following button to have the media files transferred.
Final Words
Bought a new iPhone and looking to transfer your pre-existing data to the new one or you are just looking to have the media files on your friend’s iOS get transferred to yours? Well, device manager software can help you do exactly that.
Even though you have the option to use AirDrop, for transferring data over varied devices, yet the load of disadvantages that it brings in, makes seeking an alternative solution an essential task. Despite coming from the house of Apple, there are number of flaws associated with the working and security of AirDrop which leaves it as a rather inconvenient feature to use. Thankfully there are alternative solutions to it that can help you transfer files between devices without even bringing AirDrop in the scene.
With secured and seamless transfer experience AnyTrans is one of the best alternatives for transferring data within iOS devices. So if you are still using AirDrop, it is time to set the path apart as AnyTrans awaits with multiple value aided features.
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